Fluid pressure valve



Feb. 2, 1954 E. A. ROCKWELL FLUID PRESSURE VALVE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filhd Jan. 25, 1947 iNVENTOR fan/A e0 5:44am; BY

M Wm

ATTORN EY Feb. 2, 1954 E. A. ROCKWELL 2,667,

FLUID PRESSURE VALVE Original Filed Jan. 25, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2' THE. 4-.

[bu A o A Fan W544 ATTOM Feb. 2, 1954 E. A. ROCKWELL FLUID PRESSURE VALVE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 25, 1947 R O T N E V Feb 1954 E. A. ROCKWELL ,667,861

FLUID PRESSURE VALVE fpa Aeo X POKK/VZAA.

ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1954 E. A. ROCKWELL ,667,

FLUID PRESSURE VALVE Original Filed Jan. 25, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 T1 cilll W INVENTOR 506 5/41. AZhflta 42064414544 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID PRESSURE VALVE Edward A. Rockwell, Los Angeles, Calif.

9 Claims. (Cl. 121-411 My invention relates to valves which are adapted to be used with fluids under any desired pressure or pressures for any desired purpose, although it is particularly useful in connection with power units for automotive or automobile accessory operation.

This application is a division of my co-pending application upon Fluid Pressure intensifyin Means, Ser. No. 724,412, filed January 25, 1947, now Patent No. 2,646,665.

An object is to provide an effective regulating inlet and outlet valve means. A further object is to provide an effective valve of this character by which the presence of an excessive pressure is prevented owing to the unseating of the air inlet valve when a vacuum greater than desired is applied thereto. Still another object is to provide an effective reaction means, the force or ratio of which may be readily changed by substitution of springs or otherwise, to control the reaction or feel applied to the pedal. Another object is to provide a selective set of springs so that by inserting springs of difierent dimensions or tensions, different boost ratios, difierent valve unseating positions and reaction forces may be attained.

A special purpose of this invention is to provide a unit which is adaptable to be made in a complete range of sizes from the smallest to the largest trucks and one that will be readily adaptable to any required pedal ratio to the master cylinder. Previously, in order to accomplish the adjustment of the ratio, it has been necessary to select either a special size control plunger or to change a leverage ratio connecting the plunger and the valve in the power unit. In order that the parts of the unit can be standardized so as to produce a maximum of interchangeable parts at a minimum cost, in this invention it is necessary to change only the rate of a spring.

A further object of this invention is to provide a control plunger having an air inlet at one end thereof and an elastic grommet valve directly cooperating with the end of the plunger so as first to close a vacuum valve and subsequently open an air passage through the center of the plunger.

A further object is to provide a control wherein the whole area of the pressure responsive power piston, operating against a spring plate, will be effective to determine the 1ap position of the control valve according to the rate of deflection of the plate.

Further objects of my invention will appear 2 from the detailed description of the same hereinafter.

While my invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, for the purpose of illustration I have shown only certain forms thereof in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a vertical longitudinal section of a power unit made in accordance with my invention, showing one form of grommet valve in its initial position;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly in section of the same;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section showing the same construction except that a modified form of plunger mounting of the reaction element is shown which may be in the form of a star spring;

Fig. 4 .is a fragmental vertical section of the said modified form of pressure-increasing plunger therein;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of a modified form of grommet valve that may be used;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the grommet valve shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of modified inlet and outlet valves showing a valve body preferably made of metal, and having cooperating therewith elastic valve seats, such as of rubber, etc.;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation partly in section of another modification of the power unit;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section thereof in its initial position, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the same; and

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the reaction spring plate of Figs. 8 to 10.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, I have shown a master cylinder I having a pedal 2 connected by a pipe 3 to an inlet opening 4 on a power unit head 5 which may be a light casting, if desired, such for example as of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The head 5 may be secured to a power unit casing 6 of sheet metal by means of rods 1, with hooks 8 on one end of each of the same, and screw-threaded ends 9, provided with nuts H], which pass through holes H in the periphery of the head 5. The casing 6 may have secured to the same, if desired, a connection I2, screw-threaded to receive a plug l3, which may be removed and supplanted with a connection to a trailer, if desired. Also, the head 5 has a screw-threaded opening I4 connected by a pipe l5 to an automobile engine manifold IE, or to any other source of vacuum.

which operate, respectively, in the pressure in creasing chamber 48, 49 and 41. These plungers 82, 83 and 84 may be secured to the star spring 88 either by welding or in any other desired manner, although for this purpose, referring to Figs. 3 and 4, instead, each of said plungers may be provided with a terminal flange 85 adjacent to a cylindrical stem 86 forming a recess 8! around which the spring arm s 8| pass for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 4. Each of these plungers 82, 83 and 84, furthermore, may have a low pressure annular seal 88 and a V-shaped recess 89 constructed like th seal 85 and recess 36. Also, it may have a high pressure seal 98 and a U-shaped recess 9I constructed like the high pressure seal 31 and recess 38. Furthermore, a conical retracting spring 92 is provided between the star spring 88 and the head 5 for returning the power piston 64 to its initial position. Centering dowel pins 93, 94 and 95 pass into corresponding elongated recesses 96 in the said plungers 82, 83 and 84, said dowel pins having near their left-hand ends hexagons 91 and 98 as well as washers 99 for fastening the centering dowel pins 93, 94 and 95 to the power piston plate I4, and for hOlding in position a seal retaining plate I88 which holds in place, around the periphery of the plate I4, a leather seal I8I. A felt lubricating ring I82 carrying a liquid lubricant may also be supported against the seal retaining plate I88 by a disc I83 having an annular recess I84 for the felt ring I82.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a slight modification of the grommet valve. In this instance I provide a grommet valve I85 of rubber or some other elastic material, such as a rubber substitute, having a central air opening I86 through which projects a stem I8I mounted on a closed cap brazed to the end of the control plunger 22, said stem I81 having a cotter pin I88 for retaining a conical spring I89 against the upper face of a spring retaining cap II8 having spring arms III constructed like the spring arms 69, so as to be supported against a transverse flange I I2 on the grommet the same as in the case of the flange I8 previously referred to. The spring I89 presses an inner edge II3, forming an inlet valve element of the opening I86, into contact with a valve seat H4 on the outer end of a control pi ton II5, like the control piston 22, having a longitudinal air passageway II6 leading to lateral air openings III so as to communicate with an air chamber II8 leading to the air valve II3, I I4. The stem I8? is connected to the control piston I I5 by webs I I9.

In Fig. '7 I have shown a slightly modified form of the inlet and outlet valves, comprising a sleeve I28 of metal or other rigid material, having at its upper end a flange I2I fitting within a U-shaped ring I22 of rubber or rubber substitute, having supported on the upper face thereof a conical spring I23 held by a cotter pin I24 on a stem I25 secured to a control piston I26 like the control piston 22. The rubber ring 22 has a central air passageway I21, a lower inner edge I28 of which forms an air inlet valve element to cooperate with an air inlet valve seat I29 formed on the outer end of the control piston I26. Also, an air passageway I38 in the control piston I26 leads by openings I3I to an air chamber I32 on the inside of the sleeve I28 so that when the valve I28, I29 is unseated the air from the passageway I38 can pass into the left-hand end of the power unit through the passageway I2I The lower end of the sleeve I28 has a screw- 6 thread I33 to receive a seal retaining ring I34 so as to clamp in position a leather seal I35 resting against the outside of the control plunger I26. Also, said ring I34 has at its lower edge an outlet valve element I36 which cooperates with a valve seat I31 on a U-shaped ring I38, made of rubber or rubber substitute, which is carried by the power piston plate I4. Within'the ring I38 there is a central opening I39 for conveying, in the initial position of the parts. vacuum to both faces of the newer piston 64 I In Figs. 8 to 11 I have shown a further modification of the power unit which is constructed like the power unit in Fig. 1, butwith a grommet valve like that shown in Figs. 5 and 6, except as follows: In this instance there are provided-only two power cylinders I48 and MI, which are connected, respectively, to the front and rear wheel cylinders. These power cylinders I48 and III are connected, respectively, to passageways I42 and I43, which lead to a valve chamber I44 having therein an air bleeder screw I45 normally closed by a removable screw I46, said screw I45 being hollow, and having a port I41 leading to the valve chamber I44. In said chamber there is a helical spring I48 seated at one end on a screw plug I49 in the head 5 and at its other end on a valve rod I58 carrying a conical valve I5I adjacent to a valve stem I 52 passing through an opening I53 leading to the annular chamber I! so that the stem I52 can be operated by the cam 39 to close off said valve I44 by seating it on its valve seat I54. The valve I44, I54 is open when starting to operate the power unit manually, but when further manual pressure is applied the valve I44, I54 is closed, and power pressure from the power cylinders I48 and MI is thereafter applied to the brakes by power intensifying plungers I55 and I56. These pressure intensifying plungers are mounted on a star spring plate 88a having spring fingers 8Ia, by passing therethrough and being secured thereto by means of split rings I5I carried on reduced extensions I58 of the plungers I55 and I56, through which extend the bolts 93 which extend into the recesses 96. The ends of the plungers I55 and I56 also support in place a retaining ring I59 against the plate 88, .the latter being adjacent to a dished spring supporting plate I68 around the control plunger. The dished plate I68 holds in position a strong control spring I6I, the tension rate of which is selected to give the desired feel, one end of which fits against a stop plate I62 which is supported in position on thecontrol plunger 22 by a split ring I63 and guided by two headed fastening screws I 64 on the plate 14. The tension rate of the control spring I6I will allow the pedal to build up its force as the spring plate 88a is deflected, thus determining the lap position of the vacuum and air valves. The stop plate I62 is held against the split ring I63 by a small control spring I65 which is also supported by the dished plate I68 and normally holds the vacuum valve II2 off its seat. The spring I65 also acts to return the control plunger 22 and to allow the valve I44 to open against any trapped pressure. Each headed bolt I64 is secured to the plate I4 by a nut I66 and a lock washer I61. Spacing rings I68 hold the plates I4 and I62 apart so as toleave air ports I69 in the plate '14 uncovered by the plate I62. Also, the two screws I64 have screw-threaded ends which act as stops for the maximum manual travel, thus permitting the application of additional manual pressure after the air valve at the ports I69 is completely opened.

7 :mathe operation of iny inventiomreferring first 'to F'igs. 1 130 4,-in theinitial position-of the apparatus with the vacuum being applied from the manifold 6, the piston BAfiisinitially-vacuum suspended and the outlet or vacuum valve 72, ?3 will be inopen position'dueto the action oi -the *coiI- spring-SZ resting against the spring plalteiill which in turn supports-the spring 5-by the ring "T1; --thus having the aeifect of freeing -the "valve element -12 from the v'alve sat -13 as theaspring fingers 8| have inthispositionno cont'act'or only a light contactwith the plate i4. When -the manual' pressure 'exertedflay the pedal-is conveyed hy' th'e-low pressure hydraulic liquid through' the pipe 3,-thesaidpressure will be=conveyed intogthe annular chamber I-I and as thecam 39 'isin conand "56; Simultaneously, however, with this I "movement of the cam surface 39 to the right in Fig.1,the-piston-ZI -isbeing moved to the right in "Fig; 1'againstthe-opposition of the control spring 15. This-results in the-seatingof the outlet valve l2; I3'so as to cut'ofi the chamber at I the left'of the power-piston'iikfrom the source of vacuum'I-t. Upon further pressure beingapplied-in the pipe 3;the airinlet valve 6i, :Gil'becomes unseated'so as toadrnit air through the inlet valve Bigfiil, through the ports'53 to the left of the power piston 64. This moves the power piston 64 to the right :against the Loppositlon of the reactionspring fingers "3 I which control the power applied to the cylinders '4'I i48 ome and,

therefore, alsothe reaction exerted from said cylinders onto the pedal 2, which increases 'coordinately as the power pressure applied arena left of" the j piston '54 increases. These "reaction spring fingers'BI -not'only'c'ontrol the reaction to the pedal 2 according to' the amount/or power pressure "being applied, butalso convey a power pressure, due to the. force of the 'air "at the left of thegpower piston 5 the "plurality of prossure-increasing or intensifying *plungers 182,1 $53 "and 84 which are balanced a'gainsteach other to prevent-any torsional leverage action cnfthe'contro'l piston-*22,-inapplying the fluidpressure from the cylinders 38, "9 "and'to 'through the pipe 52 to the wheel brake cyiinders 553'; "5475 "audit. The absenceof any such leverage makes a light construction feasible. Thus, the 'power pre sures-applied by the cylinders ifimifljand fiiigare coordinated to the-reaction'orfeel-on the pedal 2-, but-when" the power is being applied; this is added to the manual force exerted, so tliat both together apply-"the braking *efiort which is'co-- ordinate to the reaction or feel exerted oi'rthe pedal. However, when an increase "of ji ressure in the cylinders; #58 and "-is1reached coordinate to theposition of the pedal 2, the'said pressure will act on the piston "64% to close the air inlet valve fiii; '56, until a furthermovement of the pedal "2 takes place. Accordingly, also, when the-manual pressurejis being "released or decreased in the pipeB' -theyalVeWjlS-will he unmet-somewhat; aftr-;-seating thejnlet valve GIl, 6i, thus I restoring the parts 'to' their original position. Also/it willbe u'r'iders'tood that in the course oi -the operation of the power-unit irr' this manner,- if, rep-instance, an excessive vacuum 'sh'ouldbe present the manifold I6 and,' there- -rcre,-at the left" Of the pisto'n '64 in the" power uriit, this will unseat therubber 'grommetliiletrvalve 159 mm the inletlvalve seat- BI onthe end o the control plunger 62 thus admitting some 'air to 'the interior ofthe power unit casing Bfat the-left =oi' the piston, whichis thence-conveyed' by the -pipe I5-to the intake' rnanifold of the automobile -'engirie; thus decreasing to that eXti-nrt'-'-tlle consuiription of gas'olin'e-in 1 view of the vacuui'n' de' creasedthereby.

-l3y"-this=means, furthermorefiit will be seen by substitution of other-springs or springs-or dif- 'ferent-sizes, lengths or tensions ior theconti'ol and reaction-spring 'i-dwithor without a-subsntution of other springs-of different designs-and tensions for-the reaction spring -80, the b'o'ost ratio of the power unit canbe' readily changed as well as theinput -force controlled by'the spring iii-and the output 'force controlled by the spring 89 without changing the size 'or shape oi the other parts of the power unit apparatus, It'will bejunderstood that, ii desired, the length of the coil spring 15 may-;be altered by choosing -different locations forthe snap rin'g iS and the rsce'ss 79- in which it is" carried; to alter the cut-in of the power or the travel point. This construe-'- tion provides a power unit construction of the-utmost simplicity and which may he made' ata low cost, but which is adapted for s'ecuring-awide range of pressuresand boosting-ratios=in-the different installations into which it may 'beapplie'd. It will also be understood that,"as "above indicated, a larger or smaller number oithe power cylinders 48, t9 andfiil and intensifying plungers 82j83'and 8 3 can be utilizedinstead 0i three'such cylinders and plungers, but preferablyin such manner that the plurality of such cylinders and plungerswill be balanced against oneano'ther in order to avoid placing any torque or torsional strain upon'the manual plunger22. This construction is, furthermore, advantageous for the reason that all of the input pressures reacting back on the pedal 2 in View of the factthat the entire area'oi' the-power piston 68 operates on the spring fingers-8i and thence onto the pedalZ. The-modified form of grommet in Figs, 5 andB operates in substantially the same manner {as the grommet shown in the preceding figures except in this instance the air, instead-of passing through the radial ports 63, passes through the single central port 106, and except thatthe a'ir reaches the same by passing from the longitudinal passageway lit through lateral ports H1 in the control plunger H5 instead of through the longitudinal ports-56 ll'l the preceding figures. Themodiiied form of valve construction in Fig 7 operates in substantially the same manner as that-shown in Figs. 5 'and'BI "The course of the air is the same in Fig. 7 as in'the preceding fig ures. In this, instance, howeven-insteadof havinga rubber grommet; the metallic or rigid sleeve F20 admits the air past the rubber ring I23 which seats on the valve seat I29. Furthermore, iiistead, in this construction the metallic rigi sleeve Hicocperates with the rubber outlet valve ring soas to withdraw the air through the outlet va1ve"I'36, I31. "-Besides, iii-this instancefthere is the leatherannularseal 5 I 2 5 which seals the inlet va1 ve'128; I-29 from the-'outlet-valve I-36',- -I*3'I instead of depending upon the rubber grommet itself for establishing such seal.

The modification shown in Figs. 8 to 11 operates approximately as in Figs. 1 to 6, but in this instance the spring I09 is just strong enough to hold the air inlet valve 60, 6| closed normally.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the stop plate I62 cooperates with the plate I4 to limit the travel of the control plunger, and in case of a very low vacuum the control plunger 22 can apply force through the same onto the plungers I55 and I56, thus avoiding excessive loss of pedal force due to compression of the spring I6I.

It will be noticed, also, that the control of the unit introduces a well modulated travel, and that the flexibility of this action gives a very soft and rangy pedal feel, as the whole large-piston area of the piston 64 is used in acting on the fingers 8I as a control means, so that there is no hesitancy or lag in the off brake control. It will be seen that various input and output ratios can readily be selected according to piston size and master cylinder capacities and mechanical ratios, simply by selecting the springs in the desired ratio of their deflection rate. The pedal pressure Versus line pressure characteristics can be changed by providing springs or any other suitable arrangement to give the exact characteristic which might be required by various engineers, all this being accomplished without departing from the basic construction and the use of the same standard parts. The single bleeder screw I46, mounted at the high point, also is desirable as the bleeding operation on the production line can be accomplished more quickly.

One of the very important advantages of the present power unit is that it avoids the relatively small areas and small forces in previous units, which determine the valving movement and reaction or feel produced on the pedal. In the present unit, as illustrated, for example in Figs. 8 to 11, the direct fee reaction is at least 350 pounds of force, which is nearly ten times that usually present in previous power units, and no balancing of this pressure is necessary to hold a lap position of the valve inasmuch as the reaction of the power piston for this purpose utilizes substantially the entire area of the power piston 64. The valve, therefore, can be closed by the power piston irrespective of any selected pedal position in the control range.

Also, the input and output ratios can be readily determined by specifying the relative rates of the springs Bla, I6I and I65. Besides, an early power cut-in can be easily selected, accordingly, to obtain a maximum range of pedal pressures for a given maximum brake line pressure.

The valve control provides an instantaneous and accurate pedal feel, by large and adequate directive force, by accumulating energy during the brake operation.

Because of the large effective force applied, the

valve operation is not subject to sticking or de-' layed release due to seal friction.

The power unit, furthermore, is advantageous as it can be made with simplified pressure casting, stampings, springs, snap rings and screw machine parts; also, inasmuch as the vacuum and air valves are combined in a single rubber or synthetic rubber grommet, having a positive direct follow-up action. Also, the seals are of a new type, giving maximum effectiveness and long life, with low friction. However, inasmuch as the secondary control spring IBI is free from the pressure piston 64 there will be a movement 10 of the intensifying plungers I55 and I56 when the master cylinder pressure overcomes the force of the primary control spring I65. As this action proceeds the intensifying plungers I55 and I56 will move to act on the plate 14 by the fingers 8| to close the vacuum ports I 69. A further movement will just slightly crack open the air valve at the left hand end of the grommet I05 "by the withdrawal of the end of the plunger 22 from the inner face of the grommet I05. At this time the transition valve I5I is still slightly open and the piston I4 is about ready to contact the secondary control spring IBI. Now that the power has cut in at this low manual pressure the piston assembly M will move to the right and the pedal 2 will follow through progressively, increasing the pressure, if desired, the resistance of the control springs I 65 and I BI being determined by the rate of these springs, which will determine the pedal pressure range. The power piston I4, thus, will transmit the force produced by the modulated pressure difierential, through the finger springs 8 Ia, directly to the hydraulic plungers I55 and IE6, this force being added to the manual force transmitted through the primary I65 and secondary I6I control springs, resulting in the boosted controlled brake line pressure. Since the power piston will have a slight movement, relative to the power plungers, as determined by the rate of the finger springs, it will be apparent that for any holding or lap positioning of the valves at any point in the power range, there will be a measure of the force applied to the piston due to the differential across the power piston, and it will be balanced against the finger springs. It is apparent that with these accumulated large forces determining the valvthe unit will hold this particular pressure on the release until some further alteration or release of the pressure is effected by the pedal 2.

While I have described my invention above in detail I Wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the same.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a housing having a movable wall therein forming chambers in the housing divided by the movable wall, one of which chambers on one side of said wall has a connection adapted to be connected to a subatmospheric pressure, the chamber on the other side of said wall having a connection Y adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pressure, a spring in the housing to bias the movable wall in one direction, a stop associated with the housing for limiting the position of the movable wall, a selectively movable plunger, having an at- ..mospheric air passage therein, for controlling the position of the movable wall by the fluid pressure acting on the movable wall, a valve carried by the plunger together with a spring to normally bias the valve, said valve having inlet and outlet valve elements, the movable wall having a subatmospheric air passage therethrough, said out- 11 let valve element being. positionedto cooperate with. said; last mentioned'passage. so asto be initially open, to equalize; the pressures onop posite'sides-of-themovable:wall, and spring means inthehcusing cooperating with the plunger, havingarate of deflection tobalance. the .di-irerential between the pressures on the opposite sides: of the movable wall whenthe inletiandoutlet valve elements are in closed position as determined by thelposition of the control plunger? 2.,In a device of .thecharacter described, a housing having a movable wall therein. forming chambers in the housing divided bythemovable wall,; one of which chambers on one. side of said.- wall has a connection adapted to be'connected toa subatmos-pheric pressure, the chamber onthe other side of said wall having a connection adapted toiconvey theretoa controlled fiuidlprese sure, a spring in. the housing, to bias. the movable. wall inone direction, a stop associated withthe housing for. limiting the positicrrof. the movable wall, aselectively movable-plunger, having .an atmospheric air passage thereinjor controllingthe position of themovable wallJby the fluid pressure actingon the movable wall, a singleunitary valveof. resilient material carried by the plunger togetherwith a spring. to normallybiasthe 'va'lve;

saidivalve having inlet and-outlet valve elements, themovable'wall having a sub-atmospheric air passaget-therethrough, said outlet valve element being positioned to:cooperate with saidlast mentioned passage so as to beinitially open, to equal"- ize the pressures onopposite sidesof the movable wall,and spring. means .-in the housing cooperat ing; with the plunger,- having;a rate ofdeflection to:-balance the difierential-betweenthe pressuresonthe opposite sides of the movable wall when-the inlet. andoutlet-=valve elements. are in closed position as determined by the position-of the control plunger:

3. In. a device of: the character described, a

housing. having a movable wall: thereiniorming chambers in the housing divided by'the movable wall, one of "which chambers. on. one side, ofzsaicl wall has aconnection-adapted to be'connected tov a-subatmospheric pressure, the; chamber onthe other. side of said wall having .a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pres sure, a spring in the housing to bias them'ovable wall in one direction, a stop. associated with-the housing for limiting the position of-the movable wall, a selectively movable plunger, having an atmospheric air passage therein, for controlling the position of' the movable wall by the fluid" pressure:

acting on the movable wall, a valvecarried'by the plunger to positively open the valve thereby in one'dir ection, together'with a spring1to normally biasathe valve, said valve. having inlet andloutlet atmospheric airtpassage therethrough,rsaid out-. 60 let valvev element being positioned to: cooperate with said last mentioned passage so as to' bevalve-elements, the movable wall having a submovable-wall, one of which chambers'on one 12 sideoisaid wall, has. a connectionadapted to be connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure, the chamber onthe other side oisaid wall having a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pressure, a spring in the housing to bias the movable wall in one direction; a

stop associated with the housing for limiting the tioned.-passage so as to be initially open, to equal-H ize the pressures on: opposite sides of the movablev wall, and spring. means'in the housing cooperating Withtheplunger, having a rate of deflection to balance the differential between the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall when: the inlettand outlet valve elements are in closedv position as determined by the position or the control plunger.

wall, one of which chambers on one side of. said wall has a connection adapted to be connected to 1 a sub-atmospheric. pressure, the chamber on the: other. side of said wall having a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlledfiuid pres sure, a spring in thezhousing tobias the movable Wall inone direction, a stop associated with the: housing for limiting the position ofthemovab'le wall,,a seiectivelymovable plunger, havingan' atmospheric air passage therein, for; controlling thejposition of the movable wall by the fluid pressure acting on the movable wall, a single unitary valve of resilient material carried by the plunger together with a-spring to normally bias the valve,

-- said'valve having inlet and outlet valve elements,

the movable wall having a sub atmospheric' air passage therethrough, said outlet valveelement beingpositioned to cooperate'with said last men--- tionedpassage so astto be initially open, to equalize the pressureson opposite-sides of the movable wall, and spring means in the housing cooperating with the plunger, having a rate of deflection to balance the differential between the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall when the inletand outlet valve elements are in closed position as .determined'bythe position of the control plunger, .said valve being in the form of a groll met enclosing an end of'the'control plunger.

6.:In "a device of the character describedya housing having a movable wall therein forming chambers in the housing divided by the movable wall, one of which chambers on one side of said wall has a connection adapted to connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure, the chamber on the other side or said wall having a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pressure, a spring in the'housing to bias the movable wall'in one direction, a stop associated with the housing for limiting the position of the movable wall, a selectively movable plunger, having an atmospheric'air passage therein, passing through the" movable wall, for controlling the position of the" movable wall by the fluid pressure acting on the movable wall, a valve carried byv the plunger together with a spring to normally bias the valve, said valve having inlet and outlet valve elements, the movable wall having a subatmospheric air passage therethrough, said outlet valve element being positioned to cooperate with said last mentioned passage so as to be initially open, to equalize the pressures on opposite sides of the movable wall, and spring means in the housing cooperating with the plunger, having a rate of deflection to balance the difierential between the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall when the inlet and outlet valve elements are in closed position as determined by the position of the control plunger.

7. In a. device of the character described, a housing having a movable wall therein forming chambers in the housing divided by the movable wall, one of which chambers on one side of said wall has a connection adapted to be connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure, the chamber on the other side of said wall having a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pressure, a. spring in the housing to bias the movable Wall in one direction, a. stop associated with the housing for limiting the position of the movable Wall, a selectively movable plunger, having an atmospheric air passage therein passing through the movable wall, for controlling the position of the movable wall by the fluid pressure acting on the movable wall, a valve carried by the plunger together with a spring to normally bias the valve, said valve having inlet and outlet valve elements, the movable wall having a sub-atmospheric air passage therethrough, said outlet valve element being positioned to cooperate with said last mentioned passage so as to be initially open, to equalize the pressures on opposite sides of the movable wall, and spring means in the housing cooperating with the plunger, having a rate of deflection to balance the differential between the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable Wall when the inlet and outlet valve elements are in closed position as determined by the position .of the control plunger, receiving the valve at one end of the plunger on one side of the movable wall, with the air passage extending to the other side of the movable wall.

8. In a device of the character described, a housing having a movable wall therein forming chambers in the housing divided by the movable wall, one of which chambers on One side of said wall has a connection adapted to be connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure, the chamber on the other side of said wall having a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pressure, a spring in the housing to bias the movable wall in one direction, a stop associated with the housing for limiting the position of the movable wall, a selectively movable plunger, having an atmospheric air passage therein, passing through the movable wall, for controlling the position of the movable wall by the fluid pressure acting on the movable wall, a valve carried by the plunger together with a spring to normally bias the valve, said valve having inlet and outlet valve elements, the movable wall having a sub-atmospheric air passage therethrough, said outlet valve element being positioned to cooperate with said last mentioned passage so as to be initially open, to equalize the pressures on opposite sides of the movable wall, and spring means in the housing cooperating with the plunger, having a rate of deflection to balance the diflerential between the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall when the inlet and outlet valve elementsv are in closed po sition as determined by the position of the control plunger, receiving the valve in one .of the chambers, while the spring means is located in the other chamber.

9. In a device of the character described, a housing having a movable wall therein forming chambers in the housing divided by the movable wall, one of which chambers on one side of said wall has a connection adapted to be connected to a sub-atmospheric pressure, the chamber on the other side of said wall having a connection adapted to convey thereto a controlled fluid pressure, a spring in the housing to bias the movable wall in one direction, a stop associated with the housing for limiting the position of the movable Wall, a selectively movable plunger, having an atmospheric air passage therein, for controlling the position of the movable Wall by the fluid pressure acting on the movable wall, a valve carried by the plunger together with a spring, mounted on a plunger-supported rod passing through the valve, to normally bias the valve, said valve having inlet and outlet valve elements, the movable wall having a sub-atmospheric air passage therethrough, said outlet valve element being positioned to cooperate with said last mentioned passage so as to be initially open, to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of the movable wall, and spring means in the housing cooperating with the plunger, having a rate of deflection to balance the differential between the pressures on the opposite sides of the movable wall when the inlet and outlet valve elements are in closed position as determined by the position of the control plunger.

EDWARD A. ROCKWELL.

No references cited. 

